ClutchPoints
NFL Week 9 is already behind us and fantasy managers are already looking ahead to Week 10 and all the potential shifts along the fantasy landscape. The D/ST slot is often overlooked and whether you’re streaming defenses week-to-week or sticking loyal to one unit, consistency at the position could be the difference in deciding your weekly matchup.
Several defenses grabbed new additions right at the November 4 NFL Trade Deadline. The New York Jets were sellers, sending DB Sauce Gardner to the Indianapolis Colts and DT Quinnen Williams to the Dallas Cowboys. The Cowboys also added veteran LB Logan Wilson from the Bengals, so they should be seeing an overall boost in the coming weeks.
Aside from obvious starts like the top-ranked Denver Broncos and consistent Houston Texans D/ST units, we’ll be taking a look at which defenses could win your matchup and which defense you can stray away from.
This Week’s Top-5 D/ST Starts:
Buffalo Bills D/ST (@MIA)
The Buffalo Bills have a very favorable matchup this week against a divisional foe in the Miami Dolphins. While the Bills D/ST hasn’t been the consistent unit we’ve seen in past years, allowing 20 or more points in five of their first eight games, the Miami Dolphins’ offense has been the NFL’s worst with 15 total giveaways this season.
The Bills will be riding high following their gritty win over the Kansas City Chiefs where they sacked Patrick Mahomes three times and forced an interception. If they’re able to pressure Dolphins’ QB Tua Tagovailoa in the same manner with exotic blitz packages, they should be able to come away with another dominant win and 2-0 record over Miami this season.
Carolina Panthers D/ST (vs. NO)
As the Miami Dolphins lead the league in giveaways, the New Orleans Saints are right there behind them with 14 on the season. The Saints have also been held to a combined total of 27 points scored in their last three games, all resulting in losses, while the Carolina Panthers just held the Green Bay Packers to 13 points in a win.
With Carolina sitting at 5-4, this divisional matchup will have all the more meaning and motivation behind it as this defense has been carrying this team all year. The Panthers have created nine total takeaways on the season thus far and their secondary should quickly become an issue for rookie QB Tyler Shough. Start the Carolina Panthers’ D/ST confidently this week.
Baltimore Ravens D/ST (@MIN)
Since their Week 8 win over the Chicago Bears, the Ravens’ defense has seriously improved their nightmare start to the season and turned in one interception, two fumble recoveries, and two sacks against the Miami Dolphins in their Week 9 win. They’re playing at a high level at the moment and although the...
